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History

The Welsh Hound is a native breed to the British Isles, and has
descended from the Segussi breed of rough coated hound which
existed in northern Europe in Roman times.From medieval times
through the early part of the twentieth century,the bards, which
always held a special place in welsh society, sang odes to the
hounds often naming individual hounds, all praising their
qualities. "The ancient laws of Wales codified during the region of
Hywel Dda (942 – 948AD) gives the value of the Welsh Hound as 240
pence trained, 120 pence untrained. By comparison a sound pack
horse was valued at the same time as 120 pence."[1]

Temperament

The Welsh Hound has been kept as a hunting dog for many hundreds
of years, living and hunting in packs. It is adapted to hunting in
rocky and mountainous terrain in its native Wales. The different
traits of the Welsh Hound make it unsuitable to hunt other parts of
the United Kingdom due to the proximity to the road and railway
line. A ban on hunting would have a catasrophic effect on the Welsh
Hound since it has been bred to hunt the Welsh hills since the
immemorial.Welsh Hounds tend to be slower than English hounds so
they are not typically used for drag hunting.When trained, Welsh
Hounds are very obedient and must be immediately responsive to the
huntsmans commands. Because of its irrepressible hunting instincts,
the Welsh Hound is completely unsuitable as a pet. [2]

Breed
recognition

The Welsh Hound is registered with the The Welsh Hound
Association, which has been keeping the breed's stud book since
1922, and maintaining the breed as purebred since 1928. The
association was formed "for the purpose of preserving and promoting
the Welsh Fox Hound as a specific British breed."[3]

Since the outlawing of hunting with dogs in Great Britain,
various clubs have been offering registration for the Welsh Hound
as a rare
breed pet.